la belle et la bête

DTM AT HOCKENHEIMRING 2013 by Stanceworks

1929 FORD ‘DICK FLINT’ ROADSTER

The 1929 Ford ‘Dick Flint’ Roadster is widely considered to be one of the most famous hot rods of the era when hot rods themselves were still a new and revolutionary means of 4-wheeled self-expression for the post-war age.

Dick Flint built the roadster from 3 separate Model A Fords, he took the elements he needed from each to create his vision of what a hot rod should be. Interestingly, he spent a significant amount of time and energy on performance oriented engineering which led to the car running an impressive 143.54mph leg at El Mirage in 1950.

It is worth noting that Flint didn’t build this car on his own, it was his car but it was the product of his own work and the work of the team at Valley Custom – specifically Neil Emory and Dean Batchelor, two men who need no introduction to any fan of vintage hot rods.

Flint had a custom belly pan designed and fitted to the Roadster to maximise under-car aerodynamics, the nose was carefully built directly onto the chassis to give the car the lowest drag-coefficient possible. The windshield was designed to be removable, as were the headlights, although much of the car’s salt flat racing was actually done before it was painted and chromed – to look pretty for the magazines.

A 1940 Mercury flathead V8 was bolted in place to power the Roadster with 3 5/16 bore, 4 1/2 stroke, Edelbrock 9:1 heads and a Winfield 1A cam-shaft – sadly there are no listed horsepower figures from the engine and the current owner doesn’t seem amenable to the idea of strapping it to a Dyno, which is kind of a shame.

The Roadster first appeared in print in 1950 but it didn’t hit the big time till it was the May 1952 cover car for Hot Rod Magazine – this publicity launched the car into the hot rod zeitgeist, where it’s remained ever since.

With an estimated value of between $700,000 and $900,000 Dick Flint’s Roadster is on track to be the most expensive hot rod of all time, we won’t know for sure until the 21st of November 2013 when it’s due to be one of the headliners of the Art of the Automobile auction co-organised by RM Auctions and Sotherby’s.

Click here to visit the car’s official listing and read more detail about it’s history.

Photo Credits: Michael Furman ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions

via SILODROME

The new Audi A8 in 90 seconds

Even now, as 2013 begins to draw to a close, Audi continues to debut new models from its increasingly confusing range. This is the new A8 facelift and we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about the luxury saloon in 90 seconds…

With the emergence of the new Mercedes S-Class, Audi has retaliated with this, the new A8. By no means is this a new car, though; merely a product refresh incorporating cutting-edge technology, a raft of engine upgrades and new cosmetic features to drag the outdated saloon firmly back into the ring.

From supercharged V6 to twin-turbo V8

Whereas the V6 was never a true substitute for the big V8, the entry-level A8’s new 3-litre supercharged TFSI engine is now a fully-fledged alternative. Thanks to internal tweaking, it delivers 310HP (up from 290HP), propelling the car to 62mph in just 5.7sec and on to an electronically limited 155mph. The revered ‘Quattro’ four-wheel-drive system remains, as does the silky 8-speed automatic gearbox. At a price of €74,500, it’s an attractive proposition and easily among the best of the bunch. 

For the speed freaks able to stretch their budget a little further, the €114,500 'bahn-busting S8 shouldn’t disappoint. The 520HP 4.0 TFSI engine is now Euro Six compliant, thanks to cylinder-on-demand technology. We imagine those interested in the S8, though, will prefer to fire on all eight, when the saloon will surge to 62mph in a startling 4.1sec. There are five other engines available, including a range-topping W12 and a 2-litre diesel hybrid. 

A W12 makeover

The top-spec LWB Audi A8 offers immense power albeit with a slightly different approach. The 6.3-litre W12 has had a makeover, incorporating Audi’s latest cylinder-on-demand technology, a system which cuts off up to four cylinders, depending on the load on the engine. Another new feature is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which coupled with active air suspension and electrically adjustable massaging leather seats equates to an extremely relaxing and comfortable ride for both the driver and the slumbering passengers. 

Deer in the headlights

By night, the road is perfectly illuminated thanks to the A8’s new ‘Matrix Beams’ – a highly advanced lighting system whereby certain LEDs in the lamps are automatically dimmed or turned off to avoid blinding oncoming drivers, while others stay on permanently, constantly enhancing your view. In addition, large wild animals are detected from a distance in the infrared night-view screen. Once spotted, the optional carbon-ceramic brakes should sufficiently slow the big Audi before damaging that elegant new front end. 

In our new 90-second tests, we introduce new cars (and other products) in fast-forward. Just 90 seconds of your time is enough; we’ll provide everything you need to know to score points with your friends.